EFFECT OF THE ANCHOR BORROWERS' PROGRAMME ON OUTPUT AND INCOME OF RICE FARMERS IN NASARAWA STATE, NIGERIA

The broad objective of the study is to analyze the effect of the Anchor Borrowers’ Programme (ABP) on output and income of rice farmers in Nasarawa State, Nigeria. The specific objectives were to: compare the rice output of the programme beneficiaries with those of the non-beneficiaries and 2compare the income of the programme beneficiaries with those of the non-beneficiaries. A simple random sampling technique was employed in selecting 315 rice farmers each for the participants and non-participants of the programme. Data were collected through the use of questionnaire. The data collected were analyzed using the inferential statistical tool. The study adopts the ‘Average Treatment Effect (ATE)’ analysis using the Neyman–Rubin potential outcome methodology commonly referred to as Rubin's causal model. The results showed that, both the outputs and income of the participants were not significantly different from those of the non-participants. Hence, the null hypotheses were accepted. Based on the findings, it was concluded that the Anchor Borrowers’ Programme have no significant effects on the output and income of the participant rice farmers in Nasarawa State. In view of the absence of significant effects, there is need for the programme review and thorough evaluation to understand the dynamics at play and identify opportunities for program improvement.